Kieran Paul Sadlier (born 14 September 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers. He can also play at wing-back.[4] Sadlier previously won both the League of Ireland Premier Division and FAI Cup in his first season with Cork City. Born in England, he has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

Kieran Sadlier
Sadlier in 2017
Personal information
Full name Kieran Paul Sadlier[1]
Date of birth (1994-09-14) 14 September 1994 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Haywards Heath, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder, wing-back
Team information
Current team
Wycombe Wanderers
Number 23
Youth career
Cambridge United
2005–2013 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 West Ham United 0 (0)
2015 St Mirren 11 (1)
2015–2016 Peterborough United 0 (0)
2015Halifax Town (loan) 8 (0)
2016–2017 Sligo Rovers 49 (15)
2017–2018 Cork City 48 (18)
2018–2020 Doncaster Rovers 47 (14)
2020–2022 Rotherham United 27 (2)
2022–2023 Bolton Wanderers 36 (5)
2023Leyton Orient (loan) 19 (0)
2023– Wycombe Wanderers 42 (4)
International career
2010–2012 Republic of Ireland U17 2 (0)
2012–2013 Republic of Ireland U19 10 (1)
2014 Republic of Ireland U21 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:28, 22 August 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:32 24 October 2015 (UTC)

Club career

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West Ham United

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A youth team player with Cambridge United, Sadlier joined West Ham United in 2005.[5] After finishing top goal scorer for the U18s in their 2012–13 season,[6] Sadlier went on to feature regularly for the U21s, he requested to be released from his contract early in January 2015 in order to sign for St Mirren until the end of the 2014–15 season.[7]

St Mirren

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Sadlier made his debut on 28 February in a 1–0 home win against Hamilton Academical coming on as a half-time substitute for Viktor Genev.[8] He made his full home debut against Celtic on 3 April 2015 in a Good Friday evening televised game that Celtic went on to win 0–2. Sadlier scored his only goal for St Mirren in a 4–1 home victory against Kilmarnock on 25 April 2015.[8]

Sadlier decided that he wanted to be playing back in England to be nearer to his family and left the club at the end of his contract, despite the St Mirren manager Ian Murray inviting him back for pre-season training.[9]

Peterborough United

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On 20 July 2015, Sadlier signed a contract with Peterborough United after a successful trial period.[9] He was an unused substitute against Burton Albion and started against Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Capital One League Cup.[10]

FC Halifax Town

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On 9 October 2015, Sadlier joined FC Halifax Town, on loan from Peterborough United for three months.[11]

Sligo Rovers

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On 11 January 2016, Sadlier signed for League of Ireland Premier League side Sligo Rovers until the summer where he linked up with former manager Dave Robertson at the club, for whom he played under at Peterborough United.[12] After six weeks the club wanted to retain Sadlier on a longer term contract and signed him to the club for a further 18 months; till the end of the 2017 season.[13] Sadlier finished the 2016 season strongly, ending the season as joint top goal scorer for the club with 10 goals.[14][15]

Sadlier started the 2017 season with eight league and cup goals (seven league and one League of Ireland Cup) before attracting interest from three Premier League of Ireland clubs; Dundalk, Limerick and Cork City for his signature to join them.[16][17]

Cork City

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On 3 July 2017, Sadlier joined Cork City.[18][17]

Having joined Cork City half-way through the 2017 season, after settling into his new club Sadlier finished the season with five goals for his new club; two goals in the League and three goals in the early rounds, together with the assist of the only goal in the semi-final of the FAI Cup that saw Cork City through to the Cup Final. Cork City met Dundalk FC in the FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium on 5 November 2017 where Sadlier scored the winning penalty after the game finished 1–1 in extra time.[19][20]

In his second full season with the Club, Sadlier finished the season as the club's top goal scorer with 26 goals plus 13 assists, helping the club to a 2nd-place finish in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland, plus reach the FAI Cup final for the fourth consecutive season. At the end of the season Sadlier was named in the official League of Ireland team of the year finishing as the league's second highest goal scorer. He was also the first person since 1974 to score in every round of the FAI Cup, including the final and only the fourth person to do this in the history of the FAI Cup.[21][22][23][24]

Doncaster Rovers

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In December 2018, Sadlier joined League One side Doncaster Rovers on an 18-month contract. He made his debut for Doncaster Rovers on 6 January 2019 in a third round FA Cup fixture against Preston North End [25] He then made his home debut in the 4th round of the FA Cup at home to Oldham Athletic on 26 January 2019.[26] On 9 February 2019, Sadlier came on in the 68th minute to make his home league debut and scored the third goal in a 3–1 home win against his old club, Peterborough United.[27] Sadlier left the club at the end of the 2019-20 season when the two parties were unable to agree on a new contract.[28] In his final season at Doncaster he played 33 league games, scoring 11 goals and was their leading goal scorer.[29]

Rotherham United

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On 11 August 2020, Sadlier joined Championship club Rotherham United.[30]

Bolton Wanderers

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On 28 January 2022, Sadlier joined Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.[31] On 2 April, Bolton won 4–0 against Plymouth Argyle in the 2023 EFL Trophy Final[32] He was out on loan at Leyton Orient at the time, though still received a medal as he had played in the earlier rounds.[33] He was released by mutual consent on 1 September 2023.[34]

Leyton Orient

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On 27 January 2023, Sadlier joined Leyton Orient on loan for the remainder of the season.[35]

International career

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Under 15 – U19s

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Sadlier has played for Republic of Ireland at U15, U16, U19 and U21 levels.[5] For the U15 side, Sadlier made two appearances, scoring on his debut against Northern Ireland U15s and was a substitute against Wales U15s, coming on for the last 20 minutes.[36][37] He made four appearances for the under-16s against Czech Republic U16s (twice), Portugal U16s and Italy U16s [38][39] and played in three U17 games against Norway U17, Albania U17 and Malta U17s in the U17 Euro Championships.[40][41][42][43][44]

For the U19 team, Sadlier made 10 appearances, starting in all 10 games, scoring one goal against Switzerland U19s in the U19 European Championship finals held in Serbia.[45][46][47][48]

Under 21s

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Sadlier made his Ireland U21 debut against Qatar in a friendly played in Aachen, Germany on 24 May 2014.[49] He made four further appearances for the Irish U21s, against Germany in Leipzig,[50] Norway U-21s on 26 September 2014 [51] played in Drammen, Norway, both these matches were in the U21 European Championship. This was followed by a double header of friendlies against the USA & Russia U21s in which Sadlier played against Russia, both games were played in Spain.[52]

Senior squad

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Sadlier was named in Mick McCarthy's provisional squad in October 2019 for qualifiers against the Georgian national team and the Switzerland national team. On 29 October 2019 Sadlier was named in an extended 39-man provisional squad for a friendly against New Zealand and a qualifier against Denmark in November 2019.[53]

Career statistics

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As of match played 8 May 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St Mirren 2014–15[8] Scottish Premiership 11 1 11 1
Peterborough United 2015–16[54] League One 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Halifax Town (loan) 2015–16[54] National League 8 0 1 0 9 0
Sligo Rovers 2016[10] League of Ireland Premier Division 29 8 2 2 1 0 32 10
2017[10] 20 7 2 1 22 8
Total 49 15 2 2 3 1 54 18
Cork City 2017[10] League of Ireland Premier Division 13 2 5 4 2[a] 0 21 6
2018[10] 35[55] 16[56] 6 7 1 0 4[b] 0 3[c] 3 49 26
Total 48 18 11 11 1 0 6 0 3 3 70 32
Doncaster Rovers 2018–19[57] League One 14 3 3 0 2[d] 0 19 3
2019–20[58] League One 33 11 2 0 1 0 3[e] 1 39 12
Total 47 14 5 0 1 0 5 1 58 15
Rotherham United 2020–21[59] Championship 15 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 16 1
2021–22[60] League One 12 1 2 0 1 1 6[e] 4 21 6
Total 27 2 2 0 2 1 6 4 37 7
Bolton Wanderers 2021–22[60] League One 18[f] 4 0 0 18 4
2022–23[62] 19 1 1 0 2 1 6[e] 3 28 5
Total 37 5 1 0 2 1 6 3 46 9
Leyton Orient (loan) 2022–23[62] League Two 19 1 19 1
Wycombe Wanderers 2023 -[62] League One 42 4 2 0 1 0 8 4 41 6
Career total 288 60 24 13 11 3 6 0 28 15 357 91
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League; two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ One appearance in Munster Senior Cup; one appearance, one goal in President's Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in League One Play-offs
  5. ^ a b c Appearances and goals in EFL Trophy.
  6. ^ Soccerbase failed to include his substitute appearance Sunderland on 29 January 2021, as such he made 18 league appearances during the 2021–22 season for Bolton.[61]

Honours

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Cork City

Rotherham United

Bolton Wanderers

Leyton Orient

Wycombe Wanderers

References

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  1. ^ "Barclays Premier League: notification of shirt numbers" (PDF). Premier League. p. 47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Kieran Sadlier". 11v11. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Kieran Sadlier". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  4. ^ The Bolton News: Why Kieran Sadlier is happy to fill in at wing-back for Bolton Wanderers
  5. ^ a b "West Ham U21 squad". www.whufc.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  6. ^ "2012–13 Academy League – whuprogrammes". whu-programmes.co.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  7. ^ "St Mirren sign former West Ham midfielder Kieran Sadlier". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Sadlier Completes Move". Official Peterborough United website. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  10. ^ a b c d e Kieran Sadlier at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  11. ^ Sadlier Joins FC Halifax Town Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine FC Halifax Town official website 9 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015
  12. ^ "Former Ireland U-21 Sadlier moves to Sligo Rovers". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  13. ^ "Sadlier extends contract | Sligo Rovers Football Club". www.sligorovers.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Season Review 2016 – Sligo Rovers – ExtraTime.ie". ExtraTime.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Extratime.ie – Top Scorers – 2016 League of Ireland Premier Division". www.extratime.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  16. ^ Kieran Sadlier at Soccerbase
  17. ^ a b "Cork City sign Kieran Sadlier from Sligo Rovers – ExtraTime.ie". ExtraTime.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Kieran Sadlier signs for City – Cork City Football Club". www.corkcityfc.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Kieran Sadlier wanted responsibility of decisive penalty to give Cork City FAI Cup win". 7 November 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  20. ^ Pyne, Anthony (5 November 2017). "Cork City claim first double with FAI Cup shootout win". RTE.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Senior Team Statistics 2018 – Cork City Football Club". www.corkcityfc.ie. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  22. ^ Dollery, Paul. "Decision time for Cork City's Kieran Sadlier amid cross-channel interest". The42. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  23. ^ "SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  24. ^ "PFA Ireland (@PFAIOfficial) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  25. ^ "Preston North End 1-3 Doncaster Rovers in FA Cup third round". 6 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  26. ^ "Doncaster Rovers complete signing of Irish forward". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  27. ^ "Doncaster Rovers 3-1 Peterborough United". 9 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  28. ^ "Retained list confirmed". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk.
  29. ^ "Doncaster FC Player Appearances | Past & Present | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
  30. ^ "SIGNING Millers complete swoop for Sadlier". www.themillers.co.uk. 11 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Wanderers Seal Sadlier Deal". www.bwfc.co.uk. 28 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 4-0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ a b c Wycombe Wanderers @wwfcofficial: "Kieran Sadlier was part of the Rotherham squad that won the @BSM_Trophy in 2021/22. He was part of the Bolton squad that won it last year. And his goal today ensures we top the group going into the knockouts! Captured by @1lukejarrett."
  34. ^ "Sadlier Ends Wanderers' Stay". Bolton Wanderers FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Sadlier In Leyton Orient Loan Switch". www.bwfc.co.uk. 27 January 2023.
  36. ^ Ireland U15 squad for Celtic tri-nations Republic of Ireland Team official website 4 May 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2015
  37. ^ Late goal defeats Ireland U15s in Celtic tri-nations Republic of Ireland Team official website 15 May 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2015
  38. ^ Seven changes for second U16 friendly against Czech Rep Republic of Ireland Team official website 26 November 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2015
  39. ^ U16 squad named for Portugal 4-nation tournament Republic of Ireland Team official website 19 January 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2015
  40. ^ Norway edge out Ireland U17 for top spot Republic of Ireland Team official website 1 October 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2015
  41. ^ U19 Squad Profiles Republic of Ireland Team official website 11 February 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2015
  42. ^ "Ireland U-19s held after Swiss fightback". RTE.ie. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  43. ^ "Norway edge out Ireland U17 for top spot | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  44. ^ "Ireland progress to UEFA U17 elite qualifiers | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  45. ^ "Changes to UEFA U19 Championship venues | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  46. ^ "U19 squad face Gibraltar in training match | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  47. ^ "Republic of Ireland U19s draw with Czechs in friendly | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  48. ^ "Sadlier going for goals | West Ham United". www.whufc.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  49. ^ "King's U21s face Qatar test in Aachen | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  50. ^ "Germany 2 – 0 Republic of Ireland | 2015 – Under 21 | 2011488 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  51. ^ "King makes changes to U21 squad for Norway game | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  52. ^ "King announces U21 squad for USA & Russia games | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  53. ^ "Sadlier in provisional Ireland squad". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk.
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  55. ^ "SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  56. ^ "SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  57. ^ "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  58. ^ "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  59. ^ "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  60. ^ a b "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  61. ^ Bolton Wanderers: "REPORT: Wanderers 6 Sunderland 0"
  62. ^ a b c "Games played by Kieran Sadlier in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  63. ^ Ex-Bolton Wanderers man Sadlier has Wycombe Wembley dream: "I got my medal for the EFL Trophy, and I went to the game and supported the boys. But I also won League Two, so I got two medals in the end. What started off as a slow season turned into a successful season for me personally."
  64. ^ "Leyton Orient beat Crewe to seal League Two title". BBC Sport. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  65. ^ Harby, Chris (7 April 2024). "Peterborough United 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
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